Regulations Respecting Reduction in the Release of Methane and Certain Volatile Organic Compounds (Upstream Oil and Gas Sector)

The Regulations Respecting Reduction in the Release of Methane and Certain Volatile Organic Compounds (Upstream Oil and Gas Sector) are aimed at protecting the environment by reducing emissions of methane and certain volatile organic compounds from upstream oil and gas facilities. These regulations, which come into force on April 4, 2018, impose requirements on operators to reduce emissions from their facilities.

The regulations require that hydrocarbon gas conservation equipment be operated in a manner that captures and conserves at least 95% of the hydrocarbon gas routed to it. The regulations also specify records that must be kept by operators for certain types of equipment used at upstream oil and gas facilities, including hydrocarbon gas conservation equipment and hydrocarbon gas destruction equipment.

The regulations also impose requirements on wells that undergo hydraulic fracturing, including capturing and routing flowback gas to hydrocarbon gas conservation equipment or hydrocarbon gas destruction equipment, unless the gas has sufficient heating value to sustain combustion.